January 21, 2026

 

Kazakhstan introduces support measures for aquaculture industry

 

 

Kazakhstan has introduced new state support measures for its aquaculture sector in an effort to reduce production costs, attract investment, and enhance the industry's long-term sustainability.

 

Between January and November 2025, aquaculture accounted for 20,900 tonnes of the country's total 76,800 tonnes of fish production, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The remaining 38,500 tonnes came from natural water bodies.

 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the new support framework focuses on three main areas:

 

    - Partial reimbursement of investment costs in aquaculture projects;

 

    - Subsidies aimed at improving productivity, product quality, and the development of fish breeding farms;

 

    - Subsidies for water supply costs.

 

One of the key changes to the investment subsidy programme is a new condition requiring recipients to maintain aquaculture operations for at least five years after receiving state support. This measure is designed to ensure the long-term impact of subsidies and prevent misuse or short-term exploitation of funds.

 

Under the new rules, the government will reimburse 25% of investment costs for:

 

    - Establishing or expanding feed production facilities with a capacity of at least one tonne per hour;

 

    - Developing pond farms with annual production volumes above 25 tonnes;

 

    - Building farms using pool systems and closed-loop water supply infrastructure.

 

Additional support will be available for pond aquaculture projects with annual production above 50 tonnes, the purchase of fish farming equipment for operations on water bodies of at least 50 hectares, the creation or expansion of fish processing facilities with daily output of at least one tonne, and for reproduction farms producing fish juveniles.

 

Subsidies will also cover 30% of feed costs and 50% of fry acquisition costs.

 

Water supply subsidies range from 60% to 85%, with priority given to aquaculture farms located in water-scarce regions.

 

These updated subsidy mechanisms are expected to drive further growth in fish production, improve product quality, and strengthen Kazakhstan's competitiveness in both domestic and international fish markets.

 

- The Times of Central Asia